Another Great Day for the Martin Owners Club Event

Nazareth, PA - Nearly one thousand Martin Owners Club (MOC) members, their friends and their families gathered at the Martin factory for the 4th Annual Martin Owners Club event and open house. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the MOC was formed in 2004 as a means for Martin enthusiasts to share their passion for the brand. To find out more, visit Martinownersclub.com. Members came from as far away as United Kingdom for a day of camaraderie, music, factory tours and to meet the Martin family/employees.

Electronics manufacturers Fishman, Roland and D-TAR representatives were on hand to demonstrate Martin electronic systems as well as answer guests' questions. The Customer Service and Repair Departments gave a Care & Feeding clinic and inspected members' guitars (members are encouraged to bring their guitars to play). Tim McNair, Director of Marketing - String Division, spoke on current trends and latest developments in Martin strings. Craftsperson Aaron VanWhy demonstrated the lost art of neck shaping. A children's musical program was presented by music therapist Amy Germick. Children sang songs and played percussion as Amy encouraged and accompanied the group on her Martin guitar.

The Martin 2009 Nashville Summer NAMM guitar offerings were set up in the Visitors Center for members to play. A special LX Martin Tour guitar was introduced at this event. Artist Robert Goetzl was on hand to talk about his artwork that used on this model. Robert is a cousin of Chris Martin and his artwork was utilized on the DX 175th and the LX 175th (Models available only to visitors to the Martin Factory).

Throughout the day, members enjoyed various musical entertainment. Some of the more adventurous club members performed in an open mic format. Dressed in period clothing, 13 year old David Welsh delivered an oral history of C. F. Martin Sr.'s early years in America. Martin clinician Kenny Sultan added insightful guitar instruction to his flawless fingerpicking and vocal stylings. Guitarist Thom Bresh, son of Merle Travis, entertained the crowd with his extraordinary technique and his gift for light-hearted story-telling songs. Chris Martin's member address touched on the strong bond we share with our customers and the state of the musical instrument industry.